Dr. Kaifala Marah, Minister of Finance and Economic Development has informed members of the G7+ in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan that he would be stepping down as chair of the group with his appointment to the position of Bank Governor. The G7+ is holding its 4th Ministerial meeting in Kabul and Dr. Marah is the current chairman of the group.

“I would be stepping down as chief of the g7+ because I have been reassigned to the position of the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone by Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Among my last words to you is to keep the institution relevant to our times,” he said.

He urged the group to work towards strengthening investments in their various countries and make meaningful contribution towards stability.

“As the world faces an unprecedented period where conflict and violence have regional and global impacts, the world can no longer afford the cost of chaos. We must support indigenous peacebuilding solutions that are owned by all segment of society,” said Dr Marah.

“Maintaining peace requires patience and long term investment by governments and our development partners working in an environment of mutual trust and partnership,” he said. “Investments in extractive industries, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and services can lead to state reformation and transformation. This is why we are in Kabul this week.”

He stressed that conflict and crisis are major challenges to fragile and low income countries. “One of our key successes has been to convince the world that conflict and crisis are binding constraints to our shared prosperity.”

He asked members to correct the mistakes made with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).